4.29.2017 | La Jolla, California
The Wedding
Our wedding day itinerary is below:
Ceremony begins at 3:00 PM in the southern garden
Followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the northern patio
Guests will take their seats at 5:00 PM for a served dinner on the front lawn
Dinner will progress into dancing and desserts inside the Club until the conclusion of the reception at 9:30-10:00 PM
If you wish to continue celebrating, we encourage you to walk .25 miles east on Silverado Street to Hennessey’s Tavern at 7811 Herschel Avenue
-
Ceremony3:00 PM -
Cocktail Hour3:30 PM -
Dinner5:00 PM -
Dancing6:30 PM -
Send-off9:30 PM -
After-party10:00 PM
Bridemaids
Lisa and Saramaya met in kindergarten while twirling cartwheels and exploring nature on the playground. For a quarter century, the ambitious pair has shared countless dance parties and belly laughs, and traveled to dozens of European countries, eating more tzatziki than one should. The two traded mountains for city life, both now calling San Diego home.
Sarah and Saramaya met in seventh grade math class, quickly entertained by each other’s quirkiness. Saramaya remembers feeling a deep bond at Sarah’s 13th birthday party when asked to mark her height on the wall. While Saramaya’s height hasn’t grown since, her and Sarah’s friendship hasn’t stopped. From middle and high school cheerleading to Oregon football games and now exploring San Diego, the two continue to support and encourage each other while creating new adventures.
Amanda and Saramaya met in high school Spanish class, where “Lola” and “Marg” quickly became a pair in and out of the classroom, rooting on the bulldogs as varsity cheerleaders. One grade older, Saramaya was quick to recruit Amanda to Oregon, where they were roommates for two years. Masters at double cartwheels and board games, the two share the same sense of humor for corny jokes.
Daniela and Saramaya were instant friends freshman year of college when they both made the Jam Squad, University of Oregon’s hip hop dance team. Bonding over a lifetime of explaining how to pronounce their names, the two were quickly finishing not only each other’s sentences, but each other’s thoughts. Self-nicknamed “twins,” they lived together junior year and have been choreographing dance parties ever since.
Groomsmen
Mike and Zach were in the same kindergarten class together. Over the years, people have often thought they may be brothers. As will be no surprise when they stand next to each other during the ceremony, they always thought Mike was the big brother and Zach was the little brother – even though they’re only a month apart.
Chaz and Zach met on the playground in 2nd grade and would continue to play from racing balsa wood boats (Chaz now has a masters in woodworking among other mediums, Zach has a masters in putting together furniture with an allen wrench) to water polo in high school. Did you know Chaz and Zach are almost palindromes of each other? Coincidence? You decide…
Robert and Zach met freshman year of high school in a PE class. Robert called Zach, “Ug,” as he ran around the gym, because Robert thought Zach looked like a neanderthal. Not much has changed in their relationship since.
Our Engagement Photos
Our Story
Waiting in line for late night food at Oregon’s dorms, Zach attempted to get the pretty blonde’s attention (Saramaya, of course) by photobombing her picture. Saramaya didn’t notice, but her friend (Sarah Barton, MoH, cut out of picture) did and told him to knock it off! Saramaya posted the picture to Facebook with the caption: “Some random guy sneaking into the picture…” Turned out to be more than “some random guy…” It also turned out to be Zach and Saramaya’s first picture together.
Arriving early to freshman writing, Saramaya excitedly waited for her new classmates in Oregon’s Condon Hall (pictured). When Zach walked in, Saramaya felt an instant crush and blurted out, “Hi!” Quickly attracted to Zach’s smile and calm demeanor, Saramaya kept her eye on him the entire quarter. The two continued to run into each other around campus, in their economics class, and at parties.
Zach and Saramaya were excited to see each other in another economics class when returning to campus sophomore year. They became study buddies and learned of mutual friends, such as Bridesmaid Daniela (it took a while to put together the guy Daniela knew as “Starfox” was the Zach Saramaya had been fawning over). Zach asked Saramaya on their first official date to La Oficina, a local Mexican restaurant.
The dates continued and eventually they had their first kiss after hiking Eugene’s Spencer’s Butte. With an already strong friendship, Zach and Saramaya became close quickly (Saramaya told Zach she loved him after two weeks!) and they met each other’s families that first summer.
After graduating, Saramaya and Zach both wanted to venture east to explore a bigger city and more opportunities. With hearts set on the Windy City, Saramaya landed an internship with the world’s top PR firm and moved by herself in September 2010. Happy to be in Chicago, Saramaya was missing her teammate. Six months later, Zach completed his double major and immediately joined Saramaya in March 2011. The two West Coasters spent their first Chicago summer in an early 1900s apartment without air conditioning. They consistently woke up in pools of humid sweat, before learning their lesson and moving that Fall to a centrally heated and air conditioned apartment in the South Loop.
Zach and Saramaya enjoyed setting the foundation for their careers, meeting new friends, cheering for the White Sox (Padres are NL and Sox are AL – no conflict), and living the city life. But, after four and a half years, a -40 degree winter, and too many humid, sweaty summers, the two returned to their West Coast roots, America’s Finest City, and Zach’s hometown.
Saramaya and Zach were wishing for a dog back in Chicago, but with their busy work schedules keeping them away from home and no yards in Downtown Chicago, it wasn’t feasible. With the move to San Diego, including more space and Saramaya working remotely from home, it was time to expand the partnership to a family – with a pup! Before moving boxes were even unpacked, they rescued their now three-year-old pup, Luna! She goes with them almost everywhere and is a celebrity around town with her own Instagram account, @stellalunatuna (still seeking a dog food sponsor).
While Saramaya was traveling around Europe with Lisa (MoH), she took advantage of an opportunity to go skydiving. She’d often tell Zach and others that skydiving was one of her most favorite, “unforgettable” experiences. So, what better thing to do to kick-off a moment that truly becomes unforgettable and life changing? Sara also let it be known (after dating for this long, these things become known) that she wanted the proposal captured on camera, which all skydiving places offer. And Zach knew skydiving would help mask his nerves – “I’m not nervous because I’m about to ask you a really big question, I’m nervous because I might die within the next 60 minutes.” Perfect storm.
Zach told Saramaya he booked a skydiving trip for the two of them as his 28th birthday present for himself, since 28 made him feel old (believable, right?). Saramaya now claims she was a little suspicious of the guise and thought this might be “the moment,” but after 8+ years she thought going out to dinner or walking the dog might be “the moment.”
The skydiving crew was in on the plan and had the ring waiting for Zach when he landed first (Zach’s chute got tangled in the jump and they almost had to go to the reserve, but thankfully it worked itself out – a sign it was all meant to be!). When Saramaya landed, she didn’t realize “the show was about to start”. Check out the video below for the full moment (click the full-screen/pop-out option):
Registry
We are so grateful for the people in our lives and hope you can join us on our wedding day – your presence would truly be a gift. If you’d like to give something in addition, we created a registry at the following link to help further furnish our home: thankfulregistry.com/thepenachos
Thankful combines all retailers into one place and offers our guests the choice to purchase from any retailer, online or in person, while keeping track of which items are purchased to minimize duplicates. For some gifts, there’s an option to make a contribution to a portion of the gift via PayPal.
SD Attractions
Looking for something to do in America’s Finest City before/after celebrating with America’s Finest People?
La Jolla
La Jolla means “the jewel” in Spanish and it lives up to the name. La Jolla Shores Beach (pictured) is a stones throw from the hotel. La Jolla village offers high-end shopping (who’s looking to buy a Lambo?). La Jolla Cove’s seals will give you a live-action show, but you may want to bring your nose plugs. There’s also a nude beach, but we’ll let you find that one on your own…
The Zoo/Balboa Park
Apparently The World Famous San Diego Zoo was recently knocked from its throne as “#1 zoo” by the zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, but who’s trying to go to Nebraska? If you have not been before and have extra time this is a must. Right next to the zoo is Balboa Park, a San Diego landmark that’s filled with museums and beautiful scenery.
Pizza
Hungry? Want to try the world’s best pizza? (Rhetorical question, because of course you do.) Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in Little Italy (the original) is unbeatable.
